Scouting Ahead: Cleveland Browns week 5 opponent, LA Chargers
By Colin Damms
Scouting ahead to the Cleveland Browns next game, a trip to LA to face Brandon Staley’s surging Chargers team, led by young quarterback Justin Herbert.
After a hard-fought defensive victory over the Minnesota Vikings in week 4, the Cleveland Browns face a much more difficult task in Week 5, the surging Los Angeles Chargers.
Brandon Staley’s team is high on confidence after passing difficult tests against AFC West Division rivals Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders, and are doing so not only with good defense but with the arm of star 2020 first-round pick Justin Herbert.
It will be a big test for the Browns defense, who have thrown opposing quarterbacks off their game in back-to-back weeks. It will also be a big test for quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Browns offense, who have struggled in back-to-back wins despite the incredible help from their defense.
How to stop Herbert?
Justin Herbert is on fire at the moment. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft is looking more and more like a missed opportunity at the No. 1 overall pick, shredding defenses and putting the Los Angeles Chargers on the map despite their lack of home fans.
In hostile environments away at the Chiefs and home against the Raiders, Herbert was able to carve apart skilled defenses through the air, and looks to be on course for playoff contention in just his second season in one of the strongest NFL divisions. There’s no apparent sophomore slump, so how do the Browns stop him?
One answer is more of the same.
The Browns defensive line has hammered quarterbacks so far this season. Their control of the line of scrimmage helped the team grind out their last two wins despite struggles by Mayfield and the offense, and the front 7, in particular, have stood out. Malik McDowell has been a steal for the Browns this season, coming in as a free agent after a spell in jail and extensive recovery from a vehicle accident.
He’s been crucial on the interior as the pass-rushing duo of Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett do their thing to get to the quarterback. They got 10 hits in on Kirk Cousins last week, and it’s worth noting that the Chargers offensive line allowed several hits on Herbert. Things have been better for them up front since drafting Rashawn Slater, but they’re still a beatable unit. Expect the Browns to continue bringing pressure to knock the high-flying young quarterback off his game.